Frequently Asked Questions

You must carry your licence or permit with you at all times when driving, otherwise you could be fined. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.

You must make sure your driver's licence is in English, and current. If not in English you should bring an English translation with you, or obtain an IDP. All documents must be originals - no photocopies will be accepted.

Firstly, and most importantly, in New Zealand you drive on the left hand side of the road.

Most New Zealand roads are two-way highways without centre barriers to separate opposing traffic, which makes it so important to give the road your full concentration.

When driving in NZ, here are a few things to consider:

Speed limitsYour speed must be limited to 50 km/hour around built up urban areas, 70km/hour (where indicated) in semi-residential/country areas, and 100 km on the open road. The traffic police are fairly strict in enforcing these limits, so it pays to observe the limits, unless you fancy collecting more than just airline tickets.

Travelling distancesLook on a New Zealand map and you may think that the next city is just a Sunday drive down the road. This is not always the case. It's a good idea to allow more time than you think for travelling distances, because the hilly terrain and windy roads, where it's difficult to pass, can make the journey much longer.

SeatbeltsAll passengers, including the driver, must wear seatbelts. Infants under 5 must use an approved child/baby car seat. This is required by law - your car rental company will assist you with these.

Road hazardsBe extra careful on rural roads. Many of them have gravel verges that require slower driving and extra concentration to avoid accidents. And always keep an eye out for cattle crossing the road. Yes, there are plenty of sheep in NZ, and there's no shortage of cows either.

Also, be particularly alert on central North Island roads (around Taupo, Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu and the desert road), and all South Island roads during winter. Watch out for black ice. You can't see it, but it is very slippery. Lower your speed and drive cautiously.

International driving licences and permitsIn NZ, you can legally drive for up to 12 months if you hold either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Carry your licence or permit with you at all times when driving, otherwise you could be fined. Naturally, you will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.

Please make sure your driver's licence is current and in English (if not in English you should bring an English translation with you, or obtain an IDP). All documents must be originals - no photocopies will be accepted.

For further information about driving in New Zealand visit the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website.

MoneyThe currency is the kiwi dollar, which you can convert into your local currency using our currency converter.

Departure TaxDon't forget to save a few kiwi dollars for when you leave New Zealand - there is a departure tax of $NZ25 payable at some airports (although if you depart from Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington this tax is already included in the cost of your air ticket).

GSTYes, New Zealand does have a Goods and Services Tax (GST): 15% is added to most goods and services. Tax will either be included in the price (as with most retail goods) or, as required by law, a price will be stated and either have alongside it "+GST" or a general written statement will appear such as "Prices are exclusive of GST".

TippingIt's not mandatory to tip in New Zealand, but it is becoming more common. New Zealanders often tip around 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant or cafe if the service has been good. Don't worry about it too much at breakfast or lunch time, but reward service around evening meals if you choose to do so.

Staying safe in NZNew Zealand has a great reputation for being a friendly, hospitable and welcoming country. All of this is true. However, unfortunately like all countries there are a few unsavoury characters, so take as much care in New Zealand as you would in any other country. Keep cars locked at all times, keep valuables out of sight, don't walk alone - don't do what you wouldn't do at home.

NZ Public holidaysHalf of New Zealand seems to be on the road around public holidays, so it pays, where possible, to plan your trip to avoid travelling on these days:

1 January - New Year's Day
6 February - Waitangi Day
March / April - Easter (dates change each year to include a Friday and a Monday)
25 April - Anzac Day
1st Monday in June - Queen's Birthday
4th Monday in October - Labour Day
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day

Time zoneThere is one time zone throughout the country. NZ time is 2 - 2.5 hours in advance of Australian time depending on the state you are from, and 12 hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Daylight savings: from late October until the end of the first week of March New Zealanders put their clocks forward one hour to get more daylight hours over summer.

Disclaimer: Please note that we do our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, and apologise if any of the information in this section is incorrect or outdated, but accept no liability for any consequences arising from this.